2024 Subaru Impreza | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports

More info on the 2024 Subaru Impreza here: www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
The redesigned sixth-generation 2024 Impreza remains true to the established Subaru formula. Subaru has simplified the trim range to Base, Sport and RS, and no longer offers a sedan version of the Impreza. We discuss the minimal changes to the exterior styling, driving characteristics, controls, and the powertrain. Also, we provide some tips that car owners can do to help their vehicles last longer and potentially reach the 200K mile range.
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - First Impressions: 2024 Subaru Impreza
02:21 - Updates
04:19 - Controls
05:17 - Driving Position
05:59 - The Touch Screen
07:48 - Fit and Finish
09:43 - Ride Comfort
12:18 - Powertrain
14:52 - No Sedan Version
15:57 - Question: What maintenance should car owners perform to help their vehicles last longer?
----------------------------------
First Drive: 2024 Subaru Impreza RS Boasts Fresh Styling, More Power
www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
2024 Subaru Impreza
www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
First Drive: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Benefits from Subtle Updates
www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
How to Make Your Car Last 200,000 Miles and More
www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
Car Safety Guide
www.consumerreports.org/cars/...
-----------------------------------
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts!
Video version: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Audio version: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!
From your iOS device, iMessage us at [e-mail] to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!
We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at www.consumerreports.org/cars-...
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJR...

[@hereigoagain5050]

My son has a 2017 Impreza and he loves it. No issues. He has taken it winter camping (winter tires), and it worked fine. Slow is a good feature for a young man.

[@rogerclarke2191]

Try 'gutless'!

[@jeretso]

Adding a kid to my insurance is expensive. Slow also means less tickets. Hatchback is nice for moving into college dorms too.

[@Wog68]

Another good car for youngsters is Honda Fit. First version was without much frills. They spoiled it later with more creature comforts so that they make more money. Now they are not in the market post pandemic. Perhaps its sales volume was hampering sale of other models.

[@gergnotsloh]

@@rogerclarke2191 Grow up.

[@vinnpu]

I own a 2024 Crosstrek Limited which is basically a lifted Impreza. The performance, build quality, and features are all quite good. I did my homework and it paid off.

[@user-jx8zw3yr1i]

Sweet! I have a 2024 Crosstrek (Onxy in Canada, Sport is USA) - really looking forward to enjoying it

[@asad5067]

i feel like theyre overpriced when i was looking at cars for my bro and it was the same price as a cx 5 which is much larger.

[@bohickity]

I owned a 2,000 Outback, it was great in the snow. It felt like it was glued to the road. I no longer live in the snow belt or are a first responder so I don’t see the need for the cost of their seamless AWD. AWD costs you more money to buy,more to maintain and fix and more at the gas pump. I now have a Mazda, a drivers car, ZOOM-ZOOM. 250 inches of snow a year, and there are places you absolutely need to get to Subaru’s are the best.

[@dbrxsdgo]

"Simple vehicle" all for $28k. Crazy how high prices have become normalized. 😜

[@Wog68]

You are polite.

[@edr3774]

your comment (at 8.45 minutes) about if moving up to the RS you will compromise suspension comfort maybe incorrect. I believe the Sport (which you are testing) and the RS have the same suspension.

[@97I30T]

You are correct. The Sport and RS trim have the same suspension setup. In fact, I think all 2024 Impreza trims have the same suspension setup, however, the Sport and RS trim have a rear stabilizer bar and the Base trim does not.

[@ripmod1]

I wouldn't give up my 2011 Impreza for anything.

[@WiseSeeker]

I have a 2009 Subie Impreza 2.5 Si (not WRX) and I love driving it, especially on twisty mountain roads, plus feel so safe on wet streets.

[@georgeh6856]

The guy on the left keeps complaining about steering wheels without a wrap, presumably a leather or fake leather covering. Every car I have owned which has a wrapped steering wheel has worn much worse than just a bare plastic molded steering wheel. I tend to own cars for as long as I can. My current car has a fake leather wrapped steering wheel. I live in the desert where the temperatures get as high as 123 F (50 C). A couple of summers ago, the fake leather on my steering wheel started to bubble up in the hot sun. It has evened out some with use, but now I use a temporary cover in the summers.

[@plneky1171]

Thanks for reviewing an affordable, practical car, good show. 👍

[@wwonka52]

My job has me driving a 2013 Impreza with 180,000 miles on it. I average 110 miles daily. I love it, and feel it's more durable and fun to drive than my HRV with 20,000 miles. Best heater in a car I ever felt.

[@quixomega]

Timing belt? I don't even know when to change than on my car! Because it has a timing chain, the service manual says to inspect at intervals.

[@judih.8754]

As to the question from Chris, a good friend has 210,000 miles on her 2010 CX-9 with just normal oil changes and regular maintenance. She is not fastidious by any means. I see her car going on for many more miles!

[@fabou3]

Have had 3 mazdas, all over 300,000 miles. All were manual

[@joeythedime1838]

It's all about rust and trying to control it. If your in the rust belt treating your underside with a product like Fluid Film is essential.

[@boost331]

I just want to point out the 2.5 is not a carryover. The impreza has t had a 2.5 for about 20 years until this new model brought the return of the RS. The 2.5 is internally different from all previous models as well. Cam profiles have changed. Torque peaks at a much lower RPM now making it much less lethargic on the street. It also now runs 0w16 oil which required changes to bearings and oil passages. I have a 2024 RS and its pretty OK. Perfectly adequate put put car. The infotainment is easy to use and works but is LAGGY. The reduction of road\wind noise is great, although it makes all the creaks and squeaks coming from the interior a little more obvious. Overall its fine for the price. As an enthusiast I wouldnt want it as my only car, which for me it isnt.

[@apache-yaquibrown4060]

I detest the giant touch screen, because of a medical condition, I have difficulty using the touch screens on a tablet, and my smart phone and frequently use a stylus. It is a distraction. Please keep it simple with knobs and buttons. Otherwise this would have been my next purchase. As far as a small car, this car is huge compared to my first small car 1979 Datsun B210 Hatchback. This is a great episode, I miss Tom!

[@Glenfern]

I've loved all my Subaru models, never had a problem. I'm now driving 2017 Impreza, my only beef is...I really miss a having ths old fashioned handbreak. I don't feel confident with the pull up button...

[@mirceamunteanu4791]

I did test drive a 2.5L RS Impreza, but the build quality leave a lot to be desired, both left and right mirror shake when driving over a slightly rougher roads, backup camera screes is smaller then in the prior generation, the rest has improved...larger gas tank ...a bit more passing power

[@TalismanPHX]

Definitely think that an AWD Mazda 3 is a better driver's car and more refined for very similar money.... and no CVT

[@vinnpu]

But the crappy infotainment screen, knob, and system is a deal breaker. I'll take that big touch screen on the Subaru any day.

[@rogerclarke2191]

We have a 2017 [new gen that year] Impreza. It's me wife's second Impreza [the other was 2011]. Low kilometrage: 37K. Its 2 litre engine is, frankly, gutless, especially at highway speeds, and I highly recommend the 2 1/2 litre upgrade for sure!

[@asad5067]

some one compared the impreza to the mazda 3 yea the mazda has it beat for noise and fit and finish and probably 0 to 60. youd have to compared reliability and colors and price with awd if thats something you need for snow. i have a scion ia and its pretty good for the snow with traction control off.

[@brianknight3750]

I don't like touch screens I dont like having to take my eyes off the road. But every new car has them I guess you have to set them before you go and have to pull over if something needs changed. I love awd and handling as well as the utility of the hatch. Acceleration is lacking but the awd in the winter is awesome.

[@toronado455]

I've put over 250k miles on my current vehicle, and it's not even Japanese. I wouldn't worry at all about 200k miles on a Mazda CX-9.

[@davidwilliams9963]

I have a 2004 Acura MDX with 375,000 miles. Original engine and transmission

[@edsmith9855]

Dang, wish you would have bought the RS for testing. Would have liked to see your test results in order to compare times to the 2.0L, which you have already tested in the previous gen Impreza *and* Crosstrek.

[@rogerclarke2191]

Agreed! 2 litre very underpowered.

[@atmartens]

I will happily keep my 2011 Acura RDX and 2008 TL Type S until the wheels fall off. The car market is wild now and also wasteful to get rid of something that works well.

[@donaldwilson2620]

For the Mazda CX-9 owner, parts on any vehicle will wear out over time(bushings, gaskets, rubber seals, etc). As long as you keep up with the maintenance, achieving 200K miles should not be an issue.

[@toronado455]

I'm convinced that I'm the only human being who prefers plain unwrapped plastic steering wheels. Everyone else seems to hate them.

[@donaldwilson2620]

I own a 2020 Honda CR-V EX without the leather wrapped steering wheel, and I'm perfectly fine with it. Wrapped or unwrapped steering wheels are mostly a nit-picky thing.

[@97I30T]

I like plastic steering wheels because they tend to hold up much better. Leather steering wheels tend to peel, fade, or get worn down over the years and start to look like crap eventually. I really don't understand why some people are so against plastic steering wheels.

[@nuvoflo]

No what on the steering wheel?

[@rolan2dr]

I have a 2009 Camry with 280K miles only change oil, tires, brakes.

[@foxlake6750]

Wasn’t there some glitches with the eyesight system ?

[@rogerclarke2191]

It doesn't 'like' temps below freezing point, stops working until it somehow resets itself.

[@joseeduardo4327]

80% of buyers bought the hatch or something like that and obvi 90% boight cvt so they dropped that too haha

[@darkroastlefty2803]

the day when Consumer Reports starts doing mbr surveys on car dealerships broken down by sales side and service side, I'll pay more attention to CR's contents. ;)

[@Wog68]

Agree. Automotive service industry is a scam in USA. Choose dealership wisely, but availability of good dealership or Neighbourhood mechanic is in short supply.

[@ampm9771]

going all touchscreen means cutting costs.

[@anotheran]

Just don’t take too many high lateral G right turns in a subaru lol

[@Wog68]

Is this a consumer report or a dealer report?😆

[@minnybiker4505]

The screen is likely a cost savings for the manufacturer. I have it in my Outback, and i quite like it. Regarding the wrapped steering wheel, i accidentally scraped mine with a fingernail, and now that bugs me every single day. But anyway, i think the Impreza is a great car for most people.

[@timhanley4396]

Informative podcast I love my 2023 forester Limited

[@mj1234321]

The CVT is a deal breaker for me, so I replaced my 2007 Legacy with a Mazda 3 Premium AWD sedan. Also, 191 hp out of the naturally aspirated 2.5 on the Mazda sure beats the anemic 150 hp 2 liter in the Subie! Side note: I know cars don't really have functional bumpers anymore but when did Consumer Reports stop doing its 5 mph bumper tests?

[@tamarawalker4640]

I have 2014 impreza sport... it gives me a lot of trouble....

[@Hallowsaw]

Why cant they just make a legacy wagon... i dont want a lifted wagon with cladding. I just want a station wagon

[@Noah_E]

I'm done with Subaru. I have bought half a dozen new ones over the years going all the way back to a 1992 SVX that I still own, along with a 2015 Forester XT. Every model that was the slightest bit interesting has been discontinued, including the 5 door WRX and the Forester XT. Toyota's involvement has totally neutered the brand and it has been a shame to watch it happen. I tried to talk my SO out of buying a 2021 Crosstrek Sport and it has had a couple baffling problems like the spoiler on the hatch expanding in the sun and popping off and the RAB system screaming bloody murder when a speck of dirt gets on the bumper. It will likely be our last new Subaru if they don't right the ship. At least once a week the EyeSight system mistakes shadows or lettering on the road such as SCHOOL as an object and slams on the brakes. Both cars do this, so no noticeable improvement in 6 years between them. My Forester was in the dealer several times in the first few months I had it to have foam stuffed under the speaker grates and in the doors to stop awful tinny rattling and the right LCA failed at least than 50k miles.

[@ThreeDee912]

Does it actually slam on the brakes or just beeps for a bit? I got some beeping from some smoke/fog in my 2022 Impreza but it didn’t activate the braking yet. I think you can report it to NHTSA if it’s actually braking as it can be a safety issue.

[@Noah_E]

@@ThreeDee912 It slams on the brakes. My commute takes me through a school zone and a house with a large tree that hangs over the road. At least once a week it will slam on the brakes for one of the two. The tree is in a 25 mph zone so it will take my Forester to a complete stop if I don't give it some gas.

[@dannyferguson9415]

Enjoy the manual trans. while you can.

[@edlawrence6553]

Every time CR reviews a Subaru, it’s the same thing--A list of mediocrity (slow; noisy; adequate; etc.) that is excused. I own a 2015 Impreza sedan. It’s Ok. I have never understood the fuss and the fawning. Hard plastics throughout. Sluggish from a stop. Slow acceleration. Poor quality, small backup camera. CD player failed a couple of months after warranty expired. Came with low quality tires-My wife had several flats before we switched to another brand and model tire. Yes, the symmetrical all wheel drive is excellent. A couple of years ago we thought about buying a newer model. After test driving an Impreza and a Forester, we decided to forget it. Only big improvement we noted was the addition of the touch screen and larger backup view. Our experience has been acceptable. It’s the excusing and fawning over the brand that I just don’t understand.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Exactly!!

[@rightlanehog3151]

CR, If anyone can still sell a wagon it is Subaru. Why don't they bring over the Impreza wagon they sell overseas?

[@Wog68]

Here in USA transactions, profits and turnovers are a must not a good product that last longer. Consumers also appear to get bored with anything that keeps them going. Wants are more important than needs isn’t. It?

[@user-jx8zw3yr1i]

Actually regarding the screen, it's one of the nicest, most integrated-looking screens out there. All the others Mazda, Toyota, etc have, what looks like, a cheap kindle screen fixed on the dash like it was an afterthought. Looks like if a child got hold of it, it would come off in their hands

[@gramb5611]

I have the exact car ( Year and color) love it so far ! As far as the steering wheel I got a nice leather cover and going to do a rear wiper delete. Great tech and safety for the price

[@TalismanPHX]

Most cars rusted out by 100k in the past

[@Wrang15]

They still do if you live where they brine roads in whinter. Under washed my last truck weekly... oil sprayed it 2x a year. Fram rusted through at 88k. Was only 9 years old.

[@Stevo71]

My 2011 Toyota Tacoma has just over 127k miles and my girlfriends 2013 Prius is a little north of 183k. Both vehicles get all regular maintenance as specified in the owners manual and, at least for now (knock on wood), seem like they can go for another 100k easily. I also have a buddy with a Tacoma that has over 200k on it. Maybe it’s a Toyota thing. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@4orrcountry]

Why are you here?

[@stevenweiss2148]

ITS SO FUNNY . SOME CAR ENTHUSIASTS USED TO CALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS 'SLUSH BOXES' THESE SAME ENTHUSIASTS WOULD THANK HEAVEN TO BRING BACK AUTOMATICS WITH TORQUE CONVERTERS AND MULTISPEED GEARBOXES VS A RUBBERBAND CHEAP TO BUILD CVT. WHAT A SHAME.

[@dystopia-usa]

Any automakers still using halogen bulbs for anything should be ashamed of themselves. That's first-class Scrooge McDuck penny-pinching more higher profit margins.

[@4orrcountry]

"...for me...".??

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Too bad CR only counts three years of reliability. After year 5-6 in a Subaru with the CVT, the solenoid fails and with it if it is not replaced quickly, so is the CVT for $9000. It usually fails around 80,000 to 90,000. If you get that fixed quickly, it is only $200. The transmission then lasts until about 150,000 when the CVT fails. My 5 speed should last 200k without these issues.

[@rogerclarke2191]

Good to know - time to ditch mine!

[@pondwithducks3092]

source please

[@markmedeiros3137]

Many Hyundai buyers have regrets after the Hyundai Kia Boyz debacle. The Impreza is a smart alternative.

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

One thing that I've never loved about my 2005 Outback is that the engine runs at 3000+ rpm at highway speeds of 65-75 mph. And you feel/hear all of those 3000 rpm. Kind of the opposite of a good highway cruiser. I've driven current Crosstreks and I don't think they are much better in that department?

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

I watched the Topher review channel, he does car reviews with a gopro on his head, so you get a 1st person review/driving impression. Anyways...during his review of the new Impreza RS, I noticed the rpms were roughly 2,000 when he had it on the interstate @70 mph 🤷‍♂️

[@4orrcountry]

2005 isn't relevant to a 2023 discussion!

[@stevebier710]

$30K for that car? Hell no.

[@zergilli9719]

You can get one for $29k right now. In a year or two, you'll be able to get one around $26k-$28k for sure. It's a super nice car (the RS version)

[@radudeATL]

hey.

[@misternordberg3675]

Cars absolutely suck today, of course so do people so it all works out :)

[@zergilli9719]

Na, a lot of amazing cars to choose from today that are way better than years past. People are just dellusional that their 2005 Impreza was great because it had 200 hp rather than 180 hp. Well it wasnt nearly as good of a car in many ways.

[@hondajohn6948]

I just dont know why for comparable amounts of money anyone would buy a subaru impreza over a mazda 3. The interior, powertrain, handling and likely fuel efficiency are all better on the mazda. There’s no legitimate reason subaru produces such slow cars. 1.5t Civics have been doing 0-60 in under 8 seconds for 8 years now, mazda 3 hovers around 8 seconds, kia forte is around 8 as well. Subaru has no excuse to be at 10 seconds, it is not 2003 anymore.

[@kurthunter5206]

One reason is the controls. I like Mazdas, but when they went to the "control knob" I was done. My Hyundais & Hondas are much easier to live with.

[@vinnpu]

The infotainment screen and system on the Mazda was a deal breaker for me.

[@tpolerex7282]

The RS does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. Other than some materials on the interior of the Mazda being a bit better everything else on the RS is at the same level. Though it’s a good car it was too small and don’t like the infotainment which is why I chose the RS over it. Very happy with the solid, refined chassis, responsive powertrain and roomy, comfortable interior of the RS. Averaging 32 MPG. It’s not a WRX (I have one), but it’s still a solid and fun daily driver.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

Umm Mazda doesn't give you AWD standard.... getting around in the winter is important to people

[@Hallowsaw]

Here is what subaru does extremely well, visability, COMFORT, best mpg for awd non hybrid), cheap awd, easy to use, cheapest insurances on the market, the Japanese made ones are some of the most reliable cars on the market right now and very simple to do basic maintenance yourself due to no turbocharging or hybridization. My insurance full coverage on 2 subarus is only 800 a year. I know people that pay that for an entire year on only their honda civic... my outback i bought for 20k in 2021 and they are still selling for 18k in 2023. Yes the impreza is cheaper than the mazda 3 but the mazda 3 has junk gas mileage in the awd trims, you cant see squat in it. Would be god aweful to repair their tricoat paintjobs if it were ever in an accident.

[@4orrcountry]

Consumer Reports should be EMBARRASSED by this useless, amateurish review. Collectively, they add NOTHING.